Coach Gentile reviews defensive teaching activities for youth soccer players including recovery runs, when to go to the ball and when to slow down the offensive player.

1. Defensive Teaching Activities
Coach Dina Gentile

2. Beat the player to the spot
• Recovery Runs
• When a player is beat defensively we must
prepare them for a positive recovery run.

3. Beat the player to the spot
Set-up: Two lines, coach distributes the ball, first
player to the ball is on offense.
• There is not a set direction for the players, so
decisions need to be quick or
game like.
• We are concerned with being the first player
on the scene, slowing down the offensive
player so help can arrive to support.

4. When to go, when to slow?
• All defenders have difficulties when they are
playing from a recovery position. Create
activities which assist players in understanding
the fastest path to defend effectively.
• Some players will continue to go right to the
player with the ball and get beat easily. We
need to ask players to just slow down the play
versus over committing.

5. Decision Makers
• We want thinkers. Players will make decisions
when an offensive player makes a long touch
(that is a signal to go get the ball) or, if a
player is very quick, defensive players need to
give more space to contain versus trying to
tackle the ball.
• Give examples, through the games or small
sided matches to showcase “best practices” of
defending.

6. What is important?
• These two activities assist with creating solid
defensive habits.
• We need players to understand the ball is the
most important “player” on the field.
• Players need to be goal side.
• First defenders need to provide pressure to
the ball in order to slow down the play and
give time for teammates to arrive to
cover/support.

7. Elevate the game
on and off the field
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